Patrick Tan

____________________________________ seem to have no problems at all. If ever they do have problems,

they seem to be able to solve them easily.
Scripture Text: Psalm 73
In the case of students, most of the time they are the ones who are
teased by their schoolmates because the more they try be nice to
This Psalm was written by Asaph, a chief musician appointed by
those who oppress them, the more they are tagged as “goody-two-
David. He was also the author of several Psalms.
shoes”. Another classic example: a Christian student refuses to
share his answer to his seatmate so his classmate harbors bitter
He dealt with the question, Why do the wicked prosper and the
feelings against him.
righteous go unrewarded?
Questions:
He was bothered by 2 matters:
1. Have you ever felt that being a Christian is unfair because
1. The prosperity of the godless (Ps 73:3-12)
you are “limited” on your actions?
a. They enjoy health & wealth
2. Was there ever a time wherein you felt that it is unfair
b. They have no worries or problems
because unbelievers always seem to prosper and you are
c. They are proud and cruel
constantly plagued with problems?
d. They have everything
e. They are arrogant toward God and people
Asaph asked that question because he envied those who were
2. The pain of the godly (Ps 73:1-2, 13-16)
godless yet prosperous in their lives. When Asaph went into the
a. He feels like he is about to fall of a cliff
sanctuary, that’s when he realized that the wicked’s prosperity are
b. His life of purity seems unrewarded
just temporary. God showed him his greatness and he learned that
c. He is constantly plagued with problems
God is always there for him, whatever hardships he is going through.
He also realized that the riches of the earth is nothing compared to
In verse 17, he started to realize the answer to his question. He
God.
realized this while he was in the sanctuary spending time with God.
1. The wicked are on a slippery path to destruction
We need to spend time with God so that we will not be misled like
(v. 18-19)
Asaph. He envied the godless because everything seemed to go
2. The present life of the wicked is but a dream (v.20).
right for them. He forgot that God is greater than his troubles and if
They will vanish from the earth when the Lord arises.
he will only cling to Him, he will be able to endure his problems
triumphantly. We need the counsel and fellowship of other believers
In the last part of the psalm (v.21-28), Asaph acknowledges great
to encourage us when we are feeling down. We can be sure that
truths about God:
they will give us advices that are in-line with God’s word. That is the
1. God is guiding him (v. 21-24)
purpose of our CARECELLS. We are here to encourage one
2. God is watching over him (v. 25-28)
another and to take care of each other, not only spiritually but in
every aspect of our lives. We should always check up on our
APPLICATION: accountability partners to see if they are growing spiritually.
In every Christian’s life, there comes a point wherein we wonder why
nothing ever seems to go right. No matter how hard we try to solve The Beatitudes tells us that we are blessed when we are persecuted
our problems, another problem is already waiting to come through. because of our faith because we are earning our rewards in heaven.
And when we look at the people around us who are unbelievers, they What we are going through right now are just temporary. If we
continue to trust in God inspite of all the hardships we are going
Patrick Tan

through, we will be able to overcome our trials and we can use these
experiences to encourage other believers who are going through the
same obstacles that we had.

Memory verse:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God

for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then
for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16